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Hi I'm Glenda

I'm a reader, an educator, a world traveler, a Chihuahua fan, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

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I'm over 60, never married; I have two master’s degrees in education and I have an ABD (all but dissertation) doctorate in Educational Leadership and Change. While I have had various jobs, I have been most consistently working in education since 1974. I have lived and worked since my college graduation in various states; in Zurich, Switzerland for seven years; and Beijing, China for about 3 years. I have traveled extensively in Europe, Asia, and South Africa. One of my fondest memories is a train and bus trip I took through England and Scotland for six amazing weeks years ago. My house is filled with souvenirs found in little out of the way places that most tourists don’t get to see. Now that I am “owned” by two delightful longhaired Chihuahuas my traveling is limited to dog-friendly sites.
Due to the present economy I was laid off from my educational position in California in 2010. I had to short sale my lovely home, leave my fabulous job of nearly 14 years, and say good-bye to a terrific group of dear friends and my extended family to seek employment outside California. However, I was blessed to end up in the beautiful White Mountains of north-eastern Arizona. I have a terrific job working as a turnaround coach at a school on the Apache Indian Reservation. I work with a tremendous team of teachers and staff who are dedicated to turning the school around from failing status to exceeding status.

Why I am a Mormon

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My mother was a 42 year old widow with 11 children when she married my 54 year old father. Only four siblings lived at home when I was born. My father had had a hard adult life full of bad choices, but he spoke fondly of his boyhood in Utah. His one mention of the church was to ask that I learn about the Mormons before joining any other church. My mother had never heard of the Mormons but she agreed. We attended many different churches along with the Mormon Church.
I was baptized when I was 11 but moved away and never went to an LDS church again until I was 15. When I attended Brigham Young University I began to learn what it meant to be a Mormon. I truly came to understand on an intellectual level that I was making a conscious choice to be a member because the gospel made logical sense to me.
As a 30 year old adult I decided to look for adventure outside the church. I wasn't exactly living a wild life; I just wanted to be “free”. One day in Zurich I realized that I was happier inside myself when I was feeling close to Heavenly Father. I realized that I missed the privilege of praying. Living without God in my life wasn’t bringing me any great happiness. So I decided I would choose my own church to attend. I started mentally going down the list of all the churches I could join. In the end I understood that I could not join any of them because they lacked certain principles of the Gospel that were very dear to me. Most importantly of all I realized that any church I joined would require me to abandon the Book of Mormon, and that was something I simply could not do. I could not deny that the Book of Mormon was true. I could not deny that it was scripture. Reading the Book of Mormon again, and for several years after that day, is what finally gave me the courage to repent and return to the Church. And here I have remained because it still makes logical sense to me, those principles that guide my life are here, and the Book of Mormon is still true.

How I live my faith

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I live my faith in three basic ways. I enjoy daily scripture study. My favorite scripture is John 14:27 "Fear not, neither be afraid..."; as a single older woman I turn to Heavenly Father for support and guidance. I turn to the scriptures for comfort when I am lonely or disappointed because my life plans have not turned out the way I had hoped. When I get a late start in the mornings and miss my scripture study time, I listen to gospel music on the way to work to help me focus on what is important.
I pray continually during the day to give thanks for all that is good in my life and to ask for strength to face the pressures of daily life. And lastly, I participate in as many church activities as I can simply for the joy of it all. As an educator, I love teaching the gospel to others most of all. I enjoy clarifying and simplifying concepts for new members.
I also enjoy opportunities to teach in the Church’s women's group. I feel the awesome power generated by a group of faithful women. It is marvelous to see young mothers sitting next to frail elderly grandmothers sharing a belief in Jesus Christ that fulfills them both at these different stages in their lives. I marvel at the experiences the women share, the knowledge they have, and the faith that carries them through hard times. I delight in serving others through this organization of women. I am grateful for opportunities for humanitarian service. Serving those in need through organizations of the Church also helps me to particpate in world wide relief efforts. Whether it is taking dinner to a sick member or hearing of the Church's humanitarian efforts on the other side of the world, I know that what I am doing is affecting the lives of others for good.
Scripture study, frequent prayer, and active participation gives dimension and peace to my life. Having opportunities to serve others gives meaning to what I do and to who I am. I am grateful to live my life in service with and for others.

What is the Relief Society?

Glenda

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Relief Society has its own women president, counselors, and general board. It exists anywhere there is an LDS presence in the world. When I lived and worked in Beijing, China several years ago there were 6 Relief Society members (called sisters) that met together from the various embassies. Our group conducted itself in the same way it would have done in a gathering of 200 women. Our purpose was to gather together as women of faith to learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to find ways to be of service to others.
Our motto from the very beginning has been "Charity Never Faileth.” We endeavor to do good for other women whether they are members or not. Generally speaking this organization of women serves the immediate needs of church members and works on humanitarian projects locally and for international distribution in time of need. Service can be as simple as giving someone a ride to church, taking supper to an ill sister, or as involved as helping with funeral arrangements. This past year my local Relief Society organization (referred to as a stake, similar to a diocese) made over 350 quilts to be given to 8 local organizations and to the police to be used for displaced persons, women’s shelters, and children being taken to foster homes. I was grateful to be a small part of such an event. I knew that my bit of service would bring comfort when needed. I love being a part of Relief Society and serving in the company of caring and faithful sisters.Show moreShow less

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